Format- N64
Genre- F1 Simulation
Yet another N64 F1 title to add to the pile, Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation boasts the worst name of all of them.
Despite this, it’s not a bad game for its time - just a throughly decrepit one that’s very hard to recommend nowadays.
Ubisoft developed three F1 titles for the N64, and this was its second.
It actually looks older than it is due to its menus, which have 2D SNES-esque feel - previews of tracks are shown as overhead maps, and racers are depicted with blurry, low quality photos images.
The racing itself doesn’t look much better, with smudgy textures evident throughout, which is especially noticeable when its raining or overcast (in the game).
Still, the game has to be given credit for the sense of speed it generates.
The game’s preferred perspective - a first person view (see screenshot above) - really helps the sense of shock you may feel when your car takes off from the starting line.
Weaving between the pack in the opening corner is fun, but perhaps not as enjoyable as slamming into an opponent and watching their tyres fly off.
The game is actually quite lenient in terms of how much you can bash around competitors - you seem to be able to take much more damage than the CPU.
Sadly, the opening seconds of each race are the most fun many people will have with the game.
Understandably, races require a lot of braking when it comes to most corners - actually, make that all the corners.
At first you’ll be churning your way through the grit or grass at the edge of the track (the way your vehicles tyres tread changes colour is a nice touch) a little more than you might expect.
It doesn’t take too much for your car to spin round the wrong way either, and this can end up completely ruining your chances of finishing on the podium.
Overall, it’s tough to know who would have the patience for Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation today, especially when much newer and improved F1 games can probably be picked up for a similar price.
Search for it on eBay / On GameFAQs
